CH 74

We’re done eating, so I pour tea and we begin listening to Taula’s story in a relaxed environment.

“I’ll start by telling what happened after we parted ways and I went to the capital. I began to follow the track of the circuit boards you told me about, starting from where they came from, the alchemist association. The circuit boards were being delivered from the arms association to the military, and I just happened to know another follower of the goddess Araysla in a chivalric order, who I asked to do some digging. This was how I discovered that there were boards and magic guns being diverted into illegal channels.”

Taula clenches her fist tight, and Roa listens intently.

After taking a deep breath, Taula continues.

“Obviously, there was a big uproar when this was discovered, especially since the news came from the chivalric order, meaning it was not easy to just deny it. The chief of the equipment managing department was indicted and arrested, but after I received permission to search his house, I discovered clear evidence that a shaman had been staying there. It seemed likely that the chief of the equipment managing department had been brainwashed and was being controlled.”

“Yes, apparently those shaman can use that sort of illegal technique.”

I interject.

“Afterwards, I joined the chivalric order as we tried to pursue the shaman, but we were always one step behind. But something that was odd was that it seemed the shaman still continued to hide in the capital. Like there was some sort of unavoidable business to take care of there.”

Taula stops and takes a sip of tea.

“That is odd. You’d think the shaman would run.”

Says Roa.

“And then, armored salmon with wings attacked the capital.”

“Ah, I’ve heard of that. Apparently the alchemist association’s building was damaged.”

“Yes, and strangely enough, it seemed they were specifically after the alchemist association. I was somewhere else, so I pretty much only fought stragglers. There were reports of sightings of the shaman, but one day they stopped completely.”

“One day?”

Asks Roa.

“Yes, the day rumors started circulating of a demon in the capital.”

Taula and I look at each other.

“That’s the first I’m hearing of it.”

I say, and Roa silently nods.

“It’s just a rumor, but apparently it’s a new kind of demon.”

Says Taula.

“It’s said that there are only seven, right?”

I ask Roa and Taula just to confirm.

“Yes. Lady Kalin defeated one, bringing the number down from eight.”

Roa responds.

“Yes, that’s why Kalin is called a hero in the first place, right? She’s incredibly strong when she’s fighting something that can’t get around her power.”

I say quietly while nodding.

“Let’s get back to the topic at hand.”

Says Taula, and I respond with a slight nod.

“From what I have been told, this demon ended up escaping the soldiers that went after it. This was also when the sightings of the shaman stopped completely.”

“So the shaman is obviously connected to this demon.”

I say before sipping the tea.

“I think so as well. It’s said that the demon closest to the capital is the one rumored to be deep in the northern sea beyond the borderland. And at the same time that all of this was happening, winged armored salmon came out of the northern sea and attacked the capital.”

“Is that all?”

I ask without even thinking.

“Yes, for lack of any other clues. I came here by boat to investigate the northern sea, but unfortunately it capsized on the way. I just barely made it to that beach, but then I was made aware that it is mermen territory. You know the rest.”

I pour more tea into her empty cup.

“But what were you two doing there?”